MUSI 2520-Powerpoint Rap In Context to the Hood

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Transcript of MUSI 2520-Powerpoint Rap In Context to the Hood

NON-MAINSTREAM RAPPERSRap in Context of The Hood IntroductionTopicThesisConceptsGangster Persona The contrast between the Wayne’s and The Kendricks can ultimately be distinguished by their ability to refrain from conforming to the mainstreaming of rap culture in the hood. This path drains creativity and lacks authenticity to the hood because the lyrics fail to express real experiences of voice the stories of those actually in the hood. In contrast rappers like J Cole, Kendrick, and Chance they are able to truthfully share their experiences through their lyrics and/or integrate lyrical context that relates to the actual real life scenarios of people who live in the hood today which makes their music authentic in correlation to the hood.As for the future of rap, are performers still able to authentically rap about the ‘hood’ when some of the conditions that created rap have changes; or, since many of the pioneers of rap have become multi-millionaires? I believe majority of artists who rap about the hood do so by portraying themselves through a gangster persona often seen as a gimmick used to establish their market oriented image. On the contrary, there are a handful of artist that we musten discredit , who are able to rap about the hood while authentically incorporating their current status through reflection and expression that is not governed by the markets of the media.Gangster Persona Non-Mainstream RappersThe common trait amongst these mentioned artists is that their lyrics tend to present a large gap between their true identity and the hood deeming them to be what Eazy E once referred to as a “studio gangsters"Studio gangster rappers like Wayne and Nelly conform to mainstream rapping styles that regurgitate the same wanna be gangster lyrics that severely lack the true expression and voices of members within the hoodA great example of these diluted lyrics can be analyzed through Lil Wayne's song “Gangsta Shit” including lyrics like... “They call me gangsta gangsta, Weezy weezy…I fuck around and throw a bottle at you nigga, I’ma big pimp I throw a model at you nigga, Squad-ad squad up throw up the motto at you niggaz, You can mind up I throw a hollow at you nigga, And I’m so high no I’m to high”As I peel back the limited layers to these lyrics I see the lack of originality and the immense imitation the gangster image/ lifestyle. Rappers who are able to authentically reference the hood have acknowledged that rap originated from socially and economically marginalized African-americans located vastly in the hoodAlso comprehending that rap originally was a mechanism for oppressed members of society to voice their opinion and translate their stories through their lyricsThese artists speak about true life experiences in the hood whether experienced first handily or through narrating true events via third person. Authentically rapping about the hood free of commercialized navigation and and representing the hood for what it truly is.J Cole demonstrates this through songs like Lost Ones which addresses the issue of teen pregnancy/abortions from both the male and female perspective shedding light on the cycle of single mothers that is a very familiar theme to the hood Kendrick Lamar has been known to captivate his audience with his powerful lyrics that empower members of the hood. He candidly shares his experiences and struggles growing up in Compton through his music which fans admire because music reflects the true hood environment unlike the previously mentioned mainstream artists. The song “The Blacker the Berry” sheds light on the continuous act of racism present in contemporary society. The song “Alright” serving as a public service announcement stating that no matter the hardships the black community faces they will perceiver.Chance the rapper came out with the song Paranoia that echoes the cries on the prejudice acts law enforcement agents have displayed against black members of society through lyrics like “They merking kids, they murder kids here, why you think they don't talk about it? They deserted us here”. The support rappers like J Cole, Kendrick, and Chance provide through conveying messages that adhere to the members in hood communities exemplifies one of the major ways they authentically rap about the hood though they may no longer physically reside there. Conclusion Non-mainstream Rappers Non-Mainstream Rappers vs Mainstream RappersBy : Bana Ghilazghi 213467477